cave-ins
|cave-in|
/ˈkeɪv.ɪn/
(cave-in)
collapse inward
Etymology
'cave-in' originates from English, a compound of 'cave' + 'in'; 'cave' ultimately comes from Latin 'cavus' (hollow) via Old French/Medieval Latin, and 'in' is the Old English/Latin-derived preposition meaning 'into' or 'within'.
'cave' comes from Latin 'cavus' meaning 'hollow'; English adopted related forms via Old French/Medieval Latin. The compound 'cave-in' developed in English (from 19th century usage) to describe something falling into a hollow or collapsing inward, and was later extended figuratively to mean 'yielding under pressure.'
Initially it described a physical falling inward into a hollow or void; over time it also came to be used figuratively for yielding or giving way under pressure.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a sudden collapse or falling in of a roof, wall, or surface (especially in mines, tunnels, or unstable ground).
Frequent cave-ins at the abandoned mine made it too dangerous to explore.
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Noun 2
a yielding or retreat under pressure; a concession (used figuratively to describe giving in to demands or pressure).
The company's repeated cave-ins to regulatory pressure damaged its public image.
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Last updated: 2026/01/02 23:08